Nancy Bossov, who has been affiliated with Temple Israel of New Rochelle since September, 2010 in a consulting capacity through ‘Designing Rich Futures,” the firm that she founded and manages as Principal, has assumed the directorship of Temple Israel’s Early Childhood Program.
Nationally recognized for her advocacy and consulting work in developing the field of Jewish early childhood education (ECE), she served as ECE Director for the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York and as national ECE Director at the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). She was instrumental in establishing URJ’s infrastructure for Jewish early childhood education and in creating the, the professional organization, the Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism. She has previously served congregations as ECE director, education director and family educator.
She received her B.S. degree in Musical Therapy from NYU, an M.A. in Music Education from Teacher’s College of Columbia University and an M.A. in Religious Education from HUC-JIR. Passionate about Jewish music, she has taught more than 200 teens to play guitar and become song leaders.
Her educational approach is predicated on the manner in which young people experience the world. Her aim is to raise creative, innovative and independent thinkers through developmentally appropriate, child-initiated, and child-centered interactions that promote the development of lifelong skills, critical thinking and meaningful relationships.
Commenting on her goals for the program, she noted that “our Rabbis, Volunteers and Board of Trustees have made our ECP a top priority. We are at a crossroads where we can develop our program for the needs of the community in an innovative and exemplary way.
“Growing an outstanding early childhood program provides us with considerable opportunities to integrate the wisdom of Judaism, the experience of American education, the understanding of modern brain research about learning and child development to provide an ideal environment for optimal learning.”
Senior Rabbi Scott B. Weiner underscoring the importance of ECP at Temple Israel said,” Nancy brings an incredible combination of talents to this position. Her resume is impeccable. Her experience is outstanding. We are very lucky to have her be a part of the Temple Israel family and leading our school. For years, she has been training other directors how to do their jobs and be the best in their field. By having that teacher of teachers as the director of our program is a real coup for Temple Israel and the whole New Rochelle community.”
Temple Israel of New Rochelle is located at 1000 Pinebrook Blvd., New Rochelle